Pedestrian struck on Orient Way, Rutherford, and severely injured

RUTHERFORD - A 45-year old Rutherford man was struck and severely injured while crossing Orient Way in the predawn hours of Saturday, Feb. 8, Rutherford Police reported.

Police responded to Orient Way in the vicinity of East Pierrepont Avenue at 4:53 a.m. on a report of a vehicle striking a pedestrian, Capt. Patrick Feliciano said. The driver, a 39-year old Lyndhurst man operating a 2005 silver Toyota Camry, was heading south on Orient Way when the man entered the roadway.

"The pedestrian was crossing from the southeast corner to the southwest corner when he was struck," Feliciano said. "The driver said he swerved to attempt to avoid the pedestrian but did not. The driver stated that [the victim] had run across the street and the pedestrian was wearing dark clothing."

The victim was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center with multiple fractures, and his family was notified, police said.

An investigation into this incident is still ongoing at this time, as police have yet to interview the victim, Feliciano said. No tickets have been issued as of Tuesday, Feb. 11.